Blue Cheese Salad Dressing: Perfect Pairing Ideas

Blue cheese is a popular ingredient in salads, often used as a dressing or as a topping. It is a versatile cheese that can be mixed with other ingredients to make a creamy dressing or crumbled over a salad for a tangy flavour. Blue cheese is a common addition to a classic wedge salad, Cobb salad, or spinach salad, and it goes well with ingredients like walnuts, apples, pears, and hot sauce. Making blue cheese dressing at home is easy and allows for customisation to suit individual tastes.

Blue cheese dressing ingredients and recipe

Blue cheese dressing is a popular salad dressing and dipping sauce. It is a mayonnaise-based creamy dressing with crumbled blue cheese. The origin of the dressing is a bit unknown, but the earliest recording is in the Edgewater Beach Hotel Salad book in 1928, where it was called Roquefort dressing.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 ounces (60g) crumbled blue cheese
• 1 tablespoon minced parsley
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
• Pinch of fresh ground pepper
• Milk, buttermilk, or water to thin out the dressing (optional)

Method:

• Combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, blue cheese, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and stir until well blended and creamy.
• Use the back of a spoon to press some of the blue cheese crumbles into the sauce for extra flavour. The dressing will be thick, making it perfect for dips.
• For a pourable dressing that is perfect for salads, stir in a tablespoon or two of milk, buttermilk, or water.
• Taste and adjust with additional lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Keep covered in the refrigerator for one week.

Tips:

• Lemon juice is optional, but if you have a lemon on hand, it is recommended to add it as it adds a lovely fresh pop of flavour to the dressing.
• For a lighter dressing with fewer calories, you can swap the mayonnaise for light mayo and the sour cream for plain yogurt.

Salads that go with blue cheese dressing

Blue cheese dressing is a popular salad dressing that can be made at home or bought at the store. It typically includes blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, vinegar, and seasonings. Here are some salad ideas that go well with blue cheese dressing:

Classic Wedge Salad

This salad typically includes iceberg lettuce, crispy bacon, diced tomatoes, red onions, blue cheese crumbles, and blue cheese dressing. You can also add some balsamic vinegar to enhance the flavour.

Cobb Salad

This salad usually consists of mixed greens, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, bacon, avocado, blue cheese crumbles, and grilled chicken. It is often served with a balsamic dressing.

Spinach Salad with Blueberries and Walnuts

This salad combines spinach (or any other type of green), crushed walnuts or pecans, dried cranberries, blue cheese crumbles, and blue cheese dressing. You can also add chopped apples for a sweet and crunchy touch.

Chopped Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing

This salad includes romaine lettuce, fennel, carrots, cucumber, apple, avocado, basil, and walnuts. The blue cheese is whisked into the vinaigrette, and more is sprinkled on top before serving.

Balsamic Bleu Cheese Salad

This simple yet raved-about salad consists of mixed baby greens, leaf lettuce, blue cheese crumbles, walnuts, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and lemon juice. You can also add leftover steak or roast beef for a heartier meal.

Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and toppings to create your own unique salads that pair well with blue cheese dressing!

Blue cheese as a salad topping

Blue cheese is a popular salad topping and is often used in traditional Cobb and wedge salads. It can be crumbled over a salad or mixed with other ingredients to make a blue cheese dressing.

Blue cheese has a strong flavour, so a little goes a long way. It is often paired with sweet ingredients like apples, pears, dried cranberries, or cherry tomatoes to balance the salty tang of the cheese. Walnuts or pecans are also a common addition, providing a crunchy texture.

If you want to make a blue cheese dressing, you can mix blue cheese with buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, vinegar, and simple seasonings. You can also add ingredients like lemon juice, olive oil, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or garlic. Play around with the ingredients and quantities until you find a flavour and consistency that you like.

Blue cheese dressing is a great way to elevate a simple salad and is also a tasty dip for chicken wings or vegetables.

Blue cheese with something other than salad

Blue cheese is a popular salad ingredient, but it can also be used in a variety of other dishes. Here are some ideas for using blue cheese with something other than salad:

Appetizers and Snacks

Blue cheese can be used as an ingredient in appetizers and snacks, such as:

• Stuffed dates: Stuff pitted dates with blue cheese for a tasty and elegant bite.
• Crackers or bread: Spread blue cheese on crackers or bread, or use it as a dip.
• Nuts and fruit: Pair blue cheese with apples, pears, or walnuts for a sweet and savoury snack.

Main Courses

Blue cheese can also be used to add flavour to main courses, such as:

• Pasta: Try adding blue cheese to pasta dishes like mac and cheese or lasagna.
• Pizza: Sprinkle blue cheese on your pizza for a salty kick.
• Meat dishes: Use blue cheese as a topping or ingredient in burgers, steaks, or chicken dishes.
• Sandwiches: Spread blue cheese on sandwiches for added flavour.

Side Dishes

Blue cheese can also be a tasty addition to side dishes:

• Vegetables: Try roasted vegetables with a blue cheese sauce or crumble blue cheese on top.
• Potatoes: Mash potatoes with blue cheese for a creamy and flavourful side dish.

Other Ideas

Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some more ideas:

• Dips: Mix blue cheese with sour cream, mayonnaise, and seasonings to make a dip for chips or veggies.
• Soups: Add blue cheese to soup for a creamy and flavourful touch.
• Eggs: Crumble blue cheese over scrambled eggs or an omelette.

Remember, blue cheese has a strong flavour, so a little can go a long way. Experiment with different types of blue cheese and pairings to find the combinations you like best.

Store-bought vs homemade blue cheese dressing

Blue cheese dressing is a popular salad dressing and dip that can be purchased at a store or made at home. While store-bought dressings are convenient, they often contain preservatives and other additives that can affect the taste. On the other hand, homemade blue cheese dressing is easy to make, allowing you to control the ingredients and customise the flavour to your liking.

Store-Bought Blue Cheese Dressing

Blue cheese dressing is a popular condiment that can be found in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores. It is typically made with a combination of blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, vinegar, and simple seasonings. Store-bought blue cheese dressing is convenient and can be used as a salad dressing, dip for chicken wings or vegetables, or spread on sandwiches and burgers. It is also used as an ingredient in recipes such as Buffalo Chicken Lasagna and Bobbe's Super Cheesy Pasta. Store-bought blue cheese dressing has a longer shelf life than its homemade counterpart, lasting up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing

Homemade blue cheese dressing offers several advantages over store-bought options. Firstly, it is easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients: blue cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, milk (optional), fresh parsley, salt, and pepper. By making it yourself, you can control the quality of the ingredients, ensuring they are fresh and free from preservatives. Additionally, you can adjust the recipe to your taste preferences, such as adding more or less blue cheese or using different types of milk to thin the dressing. The process is simple: combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir until well blended and creamy. For a thicker consistency, it can be used as a dip, while adding a splash of milk creates a thinner dressing perfect for salads.

Comparison

Both store-bought and homemade blue cheese dressings have their advantages. Store-bought dressings offer convenience and a longer shelf life, while homemade dressings allow for customisation and control over ingredient quality. Ultimately, the decision between store-bought and homemade blue cheese dressing depends on individual preferences, time constraints, and specific uses.

Frequently asked questions